The importation of citrus products into the ACT from the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia has been banned following the confirmed detection of a citrus canker outbreak in those areas.
Acting Senior Manager of ACT Biosecurity, Alison McInnes said citrus canker was found in West Indian lime plants being sold in two Darwin retail outlets in early April.
“It has since been detected in Kununurra and Wyndham in the north of Western Australia,” Dr McInnes said.
“Citrus canker is a serious disease that severely impacts fruit quality and yield, sometimes leading to tree death.”
She said the declaration made in May to restrict the import of citrus canker carriers from the Northern Territory into the ACT while a national eradication program was conducted had now been extended to Western Australia.
“Citrus canker carriers include all citrus plants and their fruit and leaves, and any soil, packaging, equipment and machinery that has come into contact with citrus plants,” Dr McInnes said.
“The declaration aligns with movement restrictions already established for citrus canker carriers by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, all other States and the Northern Territory.”
She said the declaration had been made to protect citrus growers in the Canberra region and the significant citrus industry in NSW.
“Citrus canker has been found in Australia previously and successfully eradicated,” Dr McInnes said.
“While Western Australia is a significant commercial producer of citrus fruit, all available evidence indicates that citrus canker is restricted to potted plants in the home and garden sector.”
She said surveillance of citrus production areas so far has not detected the disease in any citrus orchards.
